Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Having the talk about college costs with your teen. Also in the news: How the new tax law affects vacation homes, what to do when an airline loses your bag, and thinking twice before paying for accident forgiveness.

Having ‘The Talk’ About College Costs With Your Teen
Managing expectations.

How the new tax law affects vacation-home owners
It gets complicated.

What to Do When an Airline Loses Your Bag
Don’t panic.

Think Twice Before Paying for Accident Forgiveness
Premium increases vs. the cost of forgiveness

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to pay for college when you haven’t saved enough. Also in the news: How credit cards are fueling bigger gas savings, how to see the world in your 20s without racking up debt, and what rising mortgage rates will cost you if you’re looking to buy a home.

How to Pay for College When You Haven’t Saved Enough
All hope is not lost.

How Credit Cards Are Fueling Bigger Gas Savings
Savings at the pump.

How to See the World in Your 20s Without Racking Up Debt
The trip of a lifetime without a lifetime of debt.

Buying a home? Here’s what rising mortgage rates will cost you
State-by-state findings.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 4 ways to save on housing costs in your 20s. Also in the news: Billions in free college money went unclaimed this year, the complications of putting plastic surgery on your plastic, and how being lazy can actually help you save money.

4 Ways to Save on Housing Costs in Your 20s
Skipping avocado toast won’t cut it.

$2.6B in Free College Money Went Unclaimed by 2018 Grads
Fill out the FAFSA.

Putting Cosmetic Surgery on Your Plastic? Avoid These Complications
Sizing up the costs.

How being lazy can actually help you save money
Yes, you read that correcly.

Q&A: A reader’s college funding rules

Dear Liz: I’d like to share with other parents how my husband and I paid for college for our two daughters. We had three rules. 1. If an out-of-state or private college was chosen, then they would be required to pay us back the difference compared to an in-state public school. They both did opt for that and both paid us back every cent. 2. We would only pay for four years and not one more day. Get in, get out. Go to summer school and work jobs. 3. They would receive a monthly allowance of $100 only. Both daughters got a fabulous education, are grateful and felt they had invested in their future well. So did we and we are very proud of them.

Answer: As well you should be! Obviously, many parents can’t afford to be nearly as generous with their kids, but those who can be should think about putting limits on their generosity to make sure their progeny are motivated to get the most out of their education. One caveat: Getting a degree in four years has become increasingly difficult at many public colleges because of budget cuts. You don’t say when your daughters graduated, but today’s parents may need to keep that in mind when figuring out how much to contribute.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Why your kid should help pay for college. Also in the news: 5 reasons for flyers to love the middle seat, tips for Labor Day sales, and why you should prioritize building up your cash reserves.

Why Your Kid Should Help Pay for College
It’s their education, after all.

5 Reasons for Flyers to Love the Middle Seat
No, really.

Work Less, Save More at Labor Day Sales With These Tips
Bargain hunting.

Prioritize Building Up Your Cash Reserves
Creating a cushion.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: 4 good ways to put your tax refund to work. Also in the news: 4 wats to speed up your tax refund, how 3 students got an education on the cheap, and Amazon may be getting into the banking business.

4 Good Ways to Put Your Tax Refund to Work
Use your refund to ease financial stress.

4 Ways to Speed Up Your Tax Refund
Skip the mailbox.

How 3 Students Got an Education on the Cheap
Avoiding years of debt.

Amazon’s next product may be a checking account
The online giant is eyeing banking.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: How to leverage great credit without borrowing a dime. Also in the news: How to get your taxes done for free, how to hang on to more cash, and how to save for your kid’s college and still live.

How to Leverage Great Credit Without Borrowing a Dime
Capitalizing on great credit.

How to Get Your Taxes Done for Free
Examinging the offers.

To Hang On to More Cash, Let Go of These in 2018
Time to get rid of those delivery apps.

How to Save for Your Kid’s College and Still Live
The saving doesn’t have to be painful.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Is your driver’s license enough for domestic flights? Also in the news: How to have a proper parental fight over college costs, what will happen to your taxes under the new tax rules, and what will get more expensive in 2018.

Is Your Driver’s License Enough for Domestic Flights?
Big changes are coming on January 22nd.

How to Have a Proper Parental Fight Over College Costs
Facing tough decisions.

Will Your Taxes Go Up or Down Under the New Tax Rules?
It’s a whole new ballgame.

What’s getting more expensive in 2018? The gas for your car
Get ready to pay more at the pump.

Wednesday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: Learn the truth about overdraft fees and save money. Also in the news: Beware the Dead Cat Bounce (and other stock market jargon), students breathe easy on the tax bill, and what will be more (and less) expensive in 2018.

Learn the Truth About Overdraft Fees — and Save Money
Looking at alternatives.

Beware the Dead Cat Bounce (and Other Stock Market Jargon)
Learning the language of Wall Street.

Students Breathe Easy on Tax Bill but Other Battles Loom
A momentary reprieve.

What will be more (and less) expensive in 2018
Travel prices are going up.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

Today’s top story: What doesn’t affect your credit score. Also in the news: A crash course for first-time Black Friday shoppers, how far your money will stretch on Black Friday, and how to pick a college that won’t break the bank.

What Doesn’t Affect Your Credit Score
Focusing on the important factors.

A Crash Course for First-Time Black Friday Shoppers
Tips for rookies.

See How Far Your Money Will Stretch on Black Friday
Getting the most for your money.

How to pick a college that won’t break the bank
Avoiding years of student loan repayment.